Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative

Webinar and Virtual Tribal Listening Session – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $8 billion stabilization fund set-aside for Tribes in response to COVID-19, as well as $100 million in funding for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR):

• $50 million for food purchases
• $50 million for facility improvement and equipment upgrades

Additional nutrition funding includes $20 million for the Older Americans Act and Tribal Nutrition Program that provide funds for delivery of nutrition services to elders. 

Register for a Native Farm Bill Coalition webinar on Wednesday, April 1 at 2:00 p.m. Central to take a deeper dive into the nutrition provisions and mechanisms for implementation. This webinar will also include a Tribal Government and Producer listening session to hear concerns and work towards solutions. 

Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8996791683517946382

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COVID-19 Food and Agriculture Resources for Indian Country

Our team is working to provide up-to-date educational resources relating to COVID-19 for Indian Country. Please check back with this resource library, as we will keep information updated as it becomes available.

Resources Include:

• Working document of school meal service locations serving American Indian/Alaska Native populations
• Overview of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program flexibilities supporting continued food access through SNAP, WIC, and FDPIR
• Shared best practices for food distribution of school meals

Resource Library: https://indigenousfoodandag.com/covid-19/

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Power of Native Youth: Creating Solutions For Hunger Issues and Addressing COVID-19

Register for webinar to hear Native Youth at the Rural Child Hunger Summit discuss the solutions for hunger issues and addressing COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 12:15 – 1:10 p.m. Eastern. 

Engaging youth is more important than ever empower rural communities and address hunger. This session will feature Native youth leaders who have been doing anti-hunger work in their own communities across Indian Country. These leaders will share their stories, including how they got involved and the challenges they faced at the outset. They will also discuss specific issues Native youth are facing in response to COVID-19, the importance of the youth voice in their food systems, and how funders can support Native youth in these efforts.
 
Moderator:
Colby Duren, Director, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, University of Arkansas
 
Speakers:

• Robert Baldy, Community Garden Manager, Klamath-Trinity Resource Conservation District
• Ellise David, Growing Tribal Farms Program Coordinator, Oregon State University Extension
• Lucas Humblet, Seed Regeneration Supervisor, Dream of Wild Health

Register: http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/webinars/virtual-rural-child-hunger-summit-session-2-power-native-youth-creating-solutions-hunger

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Support Native Producers During COVID-19

Check out American Indian Foods, an Intertribal Agriculture Council resource that showcases American Indian/Alaska Native food businesses. Support Native producers and stock up on essential staple foods such as rice, beans, flour, and meat. 

American Indian Foods: http://www.indianagfoods.org